Travel Finds

31 December 2012

Life In Spain: New Year's Eve

Grapes of Good Luck for New Year's Eve

When the kids realized today is New Year's Eve, they begged me to go buy the Uvas de Suerte(Grapes of Good Luck). "Ok, sure, now let me finish my cafe con leche." But there was another important question - would they be allowed to stay up late and bang pots? "Of course. It is New Year's Eve. Who cares what our neighbors think!"

Once properly caffeinated, I drove down the hill to our village and bought our supplies to celebrate New Year's Eve. A bunch of green grapes, so that we can each eat one grape at the twelve strokes of midnight. I couldn't find any Pinky or Champín, the Spanish versions of Martinelli's non-alcoholic bubbly. So, we will let them have sips of cava. Heck, it wasn't that long that there were bottles speficially marketed to children.

We will also be nibbling on one of the two cured pig legs (jamon de pata negra) we have received for Christmas. And it wouldn't be a Spanish style party without some salty potato chips and green olives stuffed with anchovies. We have a huge pile of polvorones, various turrón and chocolate-covered almonds for sweet treats.

Fortunately, my kids didn't request that I buy them red underwear. Although, I will be searching for the pair I bought at the Sant Cugat market stall specializing in red New Year's Eve undies.

Red Panties for Good Luck | Sant Cugat Market

What different New Year's Eve celebrations my children experience compared to mine as a child. No Times Square ball drop. No Dick Clark's Rockin' Eve dance party. But there will be noisemakers and pot banging.

Curious about the 12 Grapes of Good Luck and red panties? Check out one of my older posts about Spanish New Year's Eve traditions.

TrackBack

Comments

Life In Spain: New Year's Eve

Grapes of Good Luck for New Year's Eve

When the kids realized today is New Year's Eve, they begged me to go buy the Uvas de Suerte(Grapes of Good Luck). "Ok, sure, now let me finish my cafe con leche." But there was another important question - would they be allowed to stay up late and bang pots? "Of course. It is New Year's Eve. Who cares what our neighbors think!"

Once properly caffeinated, I drove down the hill to our village and bought our supplies to celebrate New Year's Eve. A bunch of green grapes, so that we can each eat one grape at the twelve strokes of midnight. I couldn't find any Pinky or Champín, the Spanish versions of Martinelli's non-alcoholic bubbly. So, we will let them have sips of cava. Heck, it wasn't that long that there were bottles speficially marketed to children.

We will also be nibbling on one of the two cured pig legs (jamon de pata negra) we have received for Christmas. And it wouldn't be a Spanish style party without some salty potato chips and green olives stuffed with anchovies. We have a huge pile of polvorones, various turrón and chocolate-covered almonds for sweet treats.

Fortunately, my kids didn't request that I buy them red underwear. Although, I will be searching for the pair I bought at the Sant Cugat market stall specializing in red New Year's Eve undies.

Red Panties for Good Luck | Sant Cugat Market

What different New Year's Eve celebrations my children experience compared to mine as a child. No Times Square ball drop. No Dick Clark's Rockin' Eve dance party. But there will be noisemakers and pot banging.

Curious about the 12 Grapes of Good Luck and red panties? Check out one of my older posts about Spanish New Year's Eve traditions.